Jaw dropping sixes and quick-fire wickets? Say no more – this year’s installment of the Big Bash has more bang for your buck than ever before.
The Melbourne Renegades kick off their 2018/19 Big Bash campaign on Thursday in what should be a huge test against the Perth Scorchers, this year’s outright favourite.
Last year was a heartbreaker for Melbourne, losing in the Semi-Finals by a single run to the Strikers at Adelaide Oval. Since then the Renegades have made little improvements to a side that was a rollercoaster ride for punters, and with several players serving International duties, it’s hard to remain optimistic.
We’ve analysed everything you need to know this season, and our complete 2018/19 Melbourne Renegades Preview can be read below.
2018/19 Melbourne Renegades Big Bash Odds
2018/19 Melbourne Renegades Squad
- Aaron Finch (c)
- Beau Webster
- Cameron Boyce
- Cameron White
- Chris Tremain
- Dan Christian
- Harry Gurney
- Jack Wildermuth
- Joe Mennie
- Jon Holland
- Kane Richardson
- Mackenzie Harvey
- Marcus Harris
- Mohammad Nabi
- Tom Cooper
- Tim Ludeman
- Usman Khan Shinwari
- Will Sutherland
- Zak Evans
Past & Present
- 2017 Finish: 3rd
- 2018 Predicted Finish: 6th
2017/18 Betting Statistics
- Overall Record: 6-4
- Home: 3-3
- Away: 3-1
- Favourites: 5-4
- Underdogs: 1-1
Analysis
Can the Renegades pull off the unexpected this year?
For a team that consistently finds themselves in the trophy hunt, last year’s one-run Semi-Final loss to the Strikers at Adelaide Oval was a massive punch in the gut for a team that was once favoured to win the competition.
This year Melbourne will have to go without their captain for most of the season as Aaron Finch is tied up with international duties as well as Marcus Harris, two huge losses that leave Cameron White and Tom Cooper as the team’s best chances.
The run rate will likely see a bit of a drop off hit without Harris, though. The 26-year old was always destined to open the order for Australia after slogging 324-runs for the Renegades last year, but all-rounder Mohammad Nabi could certainly fill his shoes with a powerful hitting style and some bowling class.
As far as the bowling goes, Melbourne leave a lot to be desired. There’s plenty of mouths to feed, including English import Harry Gurney, while Queensland native Cameron Boyce should lead the charge with 57 T20 wickets to his name as the Renegades’ go-to spinner.
Best Bet: Most Losses @ $5.50
It’s not crazy to think the Renegades could finish with the wooden spoon.
Melbourne are losing so much talent to the Test side, and if injury strikes either Cameron White or Tom Cooper, Melbourne could find themselves in real strife.
As we saw last year the Renegades struggled to find the mojo at home, but you can’t forget their agonizing loss to the Strikers in the Semi’s.
Heartbreak like that can often leave a team feeling hungover, although we saw shades of that last season anyway. Melbourne won four of their first five games before hitting a serious three-game skid right two weeks out from the Finals, making the Renegades a serious betting risk this season.